Dr. J. Janice Coleman, Professor of English at Alcorn State University (ASU), hosted The Unveiling of “Is This America? The Fannie Lou Hamer Quilt”. The event took place at the James L. Bolden Student Union Ballroom on Tuesday, October 29th, at 12:30 pm. The purpose of this event was to honor and educate attendees about the legacy of Civil Rights Activist Fannie Lou Hamer.
The unveiling began with a welcome by Destinee McGowan. Following the welcome, there was a rendition of Hamer’s favorite song, “This Little Light of Mine,” led by Diamond D. Walley and the Introductory Literature Choir. The audience was later introduced to “Mrs. Fannie Lou Hamer 101” by Dr. Coleman providing background information and insight about Hamer’s life. Dr. Coleman’s students got up one by one to recite some of the various passages from Hamer’s speeches. Hamer’s famous speech at the National Democratic Convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1964 was also presented to the audience.
Afterwards, Dr. Coleman unveiled the Fannie Lou Hamer Quilt, which she crafted herself. Dr. Coleman made the quilt based on Hamer’s speech and other things she learned about her. She started on the quilt in August of 2003. The main detail she pointed out was the yellow piece in the middle of the quilt, which was the first piece she cut when she started. The yellow piece stands for “This Little Light of Mine” because it was the first biography that Dr. Coleman read about Hamer. She also showed the cotton sacks that she made in honor of Hamer.
The event concluded with expressions of gratitude by Dr. Coleman, where she gave thanks to the Mississippi Arts Commission, University Press of Mississippi, ASU CITS and other departments. Dr. Coleman stated, “I think in this voting season, it is important for us to get the word out about what Fannie Lou Hamer did and how she contributed to blacks having the opportunity to vote, not only in Mississippi but in the nation. Hopefully, this has inspired people to continue to vote and fight for equality and human rights.”
